eller



Feb. 3, 1931. P. ELLER SAFETY DEVICE FOR AEROPLANES Filed may 7, 1929 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 3, 1931. P: ELLER 1,791,024

SAFETY DEVICE FOR AEROPLANES Filed May 7, 1929- ZSheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 3, 193 V v PIBOQKA ELLER, OFNEW YORK, N. .Y.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR AEROPLANES Application filed May 7, 1929. Serial No. 861,200.

This invention relates to safety devices for plane having top and bottom wings, it will aeroplanes and more particularly to a novel also be understood that my invention is equaland improved means for maintaining an aeroly applicable to a monoplane as will be plane body afloat when necessity requires further pointed out.

5 that said aeroplane land on a body of water. Rearwardly of the cockpit and wings, the -5 One of the objects of my invention is to fuselage is provided with a top and'bottom provide in the fuselage of an aeroplane, an envelope or balloon compartment 11, 12 of inflatable captive envelope-or balloon, capable considerable length formed by lateral parof being released and inflated to provide titions 13, 14 which are joined to the sides sufficient buoyancy and prevent the aero- 15, 16 of the fuselage rendering said como) 50 numeral 10. WhileI have shown an aero-. ancy power must be sufficient to not only plane from sinking. partments practically water-tight to prevent More specifically my invention relates to the entry of water to the body proper of the aeroplane bodies in which the fuselage 1s aeroplane. The top compartmentisequipped provided with one or more compartments with doors or closures 17, 18 shaped to conpreferably in the top and bottom, rearwardly form with the contour or curved top of the 65 of the main wings including provision for fuselage, said doors beinghingedly connected releasing and inflating a captive balloon or as at 19, so as to be opened outwardly in the envelope having sufficient buoyancy to sustain manner shown by Fig. 5. The bottom comthe-aeroplane when it becomes necessary to partment is equipped with similar doors or make a landing on a body of water. closures 20, 21 hinged as at 22 and also adapt- [0 To enable others skilled in the art to more ed to be opened outwardly. fully comprehend the underlying features of Within the respective top and bottom com my invention, reference is had to the 'accompartments, I provide a water-Proof, envelope,

panying drawing forming a part of the balloon or bag 23, 24 capable of being fold- 25 specification in which ed 1n asubstantially flat condition so as to 4' Fig. 1 is a side view of a conventional l1e w1th1n the shallow compartments but retype of aeroplane in which my invention is leasable therefrom through the doors or clobodi d, sures when opened. Each envelope, balloon Fig. 2 is a side view showing both the top or bag is provided with an air valve 25 that 39 and bottom envelope or balloon released and may be connected to a motor driven pump or i fl t d compressor as shown in dotted lines by Fig. Fi 3 i a f m; i 1. This construction is such that either or 4 is a partial sectional View showing bothexlvelopes m y be i fl depending 011 th l or b ll compartment conditlons, the air capacity of the lower of Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing sald envelopes being such astosustain the 3 the doors or closures when open'and conaeroplane and its load. However, for safety nected to the envelope or balloon. purposes two envelopes are provided to. sus- Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through tain an excessive loadof fuel, equipment and the fuselage body showing the compartments merchandise during transportation. It will and deflated envelope or balloon. be noted that while each envelope or balloon Referring now to the drawings wherein is folded in a comparatively shallow comlike reference numerals designate correspondpartment, when said envelope is released and dug parts throughout the several views, 5 infiated,it is of sufficient size and spread to 43 designates the body or fuselage of a convenextend forwardly or above and beneath the tional type of aeroplane, 6, 7,the top and cockpit. and wings of the aeroplane. The bottom wings respectively connected by size, shape and spread of the envelope or struts 8, the rear steering rudder being inballoon may be varied in accordance with the dicated by numeral 9 and the propeller by type of aeroplane but in any event its buoythe machine alights. If an exceptional load maintain the aeroplane afloat but also keep it properly balanced when in the water.

As shown in detail by Fig. 5, the balloon or envelope is fastened by rings 26 secured within the respective compartments so that in one sense, when the envelope or balloon is inflated, it is more or less stationary. In its folded condition, the envelope or balloon is held within the respective compartments by draw st ings 27 which are crossed and passed through the rings, the ends of the strings passing through an eyelet 28 in an end wall 29 and fastened to a ring 30. By cutting or detaching the ends of the draw string, the envelope or balloon is free to be inflated so as to extend outside the doors or closures when opened. The doors or closures are also connected by cables or strin s 31 passing through eyelets 32, the ends, 0 the cables or strings being similarly connected to a ring 33. By cutting or releasing the cables or strings connecting the doors or closures, they may be opened to release the balloon or envelope for the obvious purpose. Additional rings 34 and connecting cables or strings 35 are provided to connect both of the envelopes or balloons when in their inflated condition,

but such connection can only be made after the envelopes are released.

Under normal conditions, it will be understood that the envelope, balloon or inflatable members are in their folded concealed posi-, tion within the compartments the doors being closed. When it becomes necessary to make a forced landing on the water, the bottom doors or closures may be first opened and the lower venvelope or balloon inflated. This may take place eitherbefore or after is being carried both envelopes or balloons may be inflated in the above manner or by means of any other suitable apparatus.

may be released laterally to extend directly above and below said fuselage.

2. In a safety equipment for aeroplanes wherein the fuselage is constructed with a shallow top and bottom compartment, an inflatable captive envelope or balloon posisitioned in collapsed, folded condition and attached to the walls of said compartments, hinged doors or closures adapted to swing outwardly beyond the sides of the fuselage and means for releasing said doors, each of said envelopes or balloons being of suflicient spread to extend laterally of the fusela e and below and'over the main wings of sai aeroplane. Y I

3. In a safety equipment for aeroplanes, compartments in the fuselage opening up wardly and downwardly therefrom, and inflatable envelopes or balloons adapted to be collapsed into said compartments and means for inflating said envelopes or balloons so that they emerge from said compartments, said envelopes or balloons spreading flatly and horizontally, directly below andabove the aeroplane, and substantially covering the fuselage and wings thereof.

In testimony whereof I aflixmy signature.

PI OSKA ELLER.

' While I have shown and described this inmay fairly fall within the scope of the sub- I ject matter now being claimed.

Having shown and described" my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure wherein the fuselage is constructed with a by Letters Patentis 1. In a safety equipment for aeroplanes shallow top and bottom compartment, an inflatable captive envelo e or balloon positioned in collapsed, folded condition within each of said compartments, hinged doors or closures for each of said compartments, said doors being adapted to swmg outwardly flatly: onto the fuselagewhereby either the ca top or bottom or'both envelopes or balloons 

